The objectives of the project are to provide high-resolution images for Malaysia and build Malaysian space technology capabilities through ATSBŪ. In order to meet the technology objective, a cost-effective high resolution imaging system for Earth observation specifically for a small satellite less than 200 kg was implemented. RazakSATŪ carries the Medium-sized Aperture Camera (MAC) that will provide 2.5m resolution panchromatic and 5.0m resolution multi-spectral images. This project involves the design, development, launch and operations of the satellite.

Secondary payloads will be the CubeSAT and InnoSAT Cubesats. There was also some talk of a US Government nanosat at one point, but that seems to have subsided. I'm pretty sure they're not going to fly the 19-cubesat mission which was manifested back in 2006.

Because they are really Musk's rockets, his designation IS the official name. However, as he seems to be treating them like software, with major and minor updates at least as fast as he launches them, some nomenclature for keeping track of the hardware is helpful, even if it is unofficial. Calling a Falcon 1 with a Merlin 1c engine a Falcon 1c sounds useful to me, especially to differentiate it from the upcoming Falcon 1e.

Whatever we call it, it will be good to see some new hardware photos.

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What kind of wastrels would dump a perfectly good booster in the ocean after just one use?

Because they are really Musk's rockets, his designation IS the official name.

Which is precisely why we should stick with official names. We don't rename other rockets at will either. The notion that calling it Falcon 1c is useful falls apart because the Falcon 1e also uses Merlin 1c so they are identical in this regard. By this reasoning both should be called Falcon 1c.

Of course, this is really the one that Space-X needs to get right this year. If Falcon-1 doesn't perform, then they might be set back years because of the loss of customers.

No, I don't think so. Still, a 4th failure out of 5 launches will be hard to spin, especially considering that they now claim to have an "operational" rocket. Also, there are no other Falcon 1 launches planned in 2009, so it's a different situation from last year when they could just focus everybody on the next launch a couple of months later.

While we are at it, I have always have had a problem using mythical roman/greek names to designate american rockets. For american rockets why not something like "John Henry" or "Paul Bunyan" for a heavy lift. This is one thing I feel spaceX has gotten right, Falcon is a good name... As for Merlin and Dragon, well we can quible. He should change them to something like "Rude Goldberg" and "Covered Wagon". Or "Edison" and "Johnny Appleseed".

While we are at it, I have always have had a problem using mythical roman/greek names to designate american rockets. For american rockets why not something like "John Henry" or "Paul Bunyan" for a heavy lift. This is one thing I feel spaceX has gotten right, Falcon is a good name... As for Merlin and Dragon, well we can quible. He should change them to something like "Rude Goldberg" and "Covered Wagon". Or "Edison" and "Johnny Appleseed".

Bird names (Eagle, Falcon, Hawk) seem appropriate, until you get to Albatross. Falcon is a real bird type. Dragon can be a mythical "bird" if it has wings.